Gene Bernard: If you're from Phoenix you need a parka to go anywhere. Autumn in London is usually around 60 F. Google up London - too many to list.

S.B. Noted.

John Martin wants Sunderland.

Bill C.: 'I'm pretty well versed, but just found 'Invisible Strings'. One of those great holographic songs.' I'm fond of that song - it had the misfortune to arrive when I was way off the roll. It's not forgotten.

Steve Baratta: 'Is there any truth in the rumour that in 1973 you saw one of those beach party movies and thought that Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello made a nice couple? And you wanted to write a song suggesting he propose to her - but it didn't work so you changed the spelling to 'Marionette?' Either way Steve - this ain't cutting it.

Fred: 'Will you be performing 'Death May Be Your Santa Claus'?' I say yes - Pete says no; see what we're up against? Democracy.

Steve S: 'In the song 'Ballad of Mott' you sing, 'Rock 'n' Roll's a losers game.' I thought it would be a great life - this sounds overly cynical.' All depends - you have to have been there and done it.

Ritchie Martin: It's a racket. Not the place - the people who run it.

Ken Oudinot: Nope. Just happened to be doing it at the time.

Paul Denny: Gibsons.

Jeff Williams: 'Thanks for doing it.'

Bill McCue: 'Pete Best should open for MTH. ' I have no quarrel with that, but I was hoping for younger bands - we're the old guys!

Verne: 'Saw you mentioned 'On the Road' in the last H.M. I would be surprised if you didn't know about it, but they recently released the Original Scroll version of the book - the one Kerouac wrote on long rolls of paper. I have always loved Kerouac but always considered 'On the Road' less interesting than his later works, 'Desolation Angels' and 'Dharma Bums' being my faves. Then I read the original version a few months back and WOW!! It was not like watching a directors cut of a movie with deleted scenes; it was more like the difference between Pat Boone and Little Richard singing Tutti Frutti!!! Kerouac had to basically castrate that book to get it published. Guess even literature has its legal bootlegs.' 'On the Road' did it for me. I read the others afterward but they didn't grab me. Have to check out the Original Scroll version.

Lionel: What warm up gig?

Kim Fletcher saying what a nice man the Mad Dog is. I totally agree.

Dean Morier: All I can say about a DVD is it is under discussion. 'Will Pete put on big boots and show his hairy chest again?' Oh my God; here we go.

Charlie Hardcastle: Wine merchant from Essex! 'Did Mott experience any spinal tap moments?' Yes, and they're not over yet.

Tony Semioli: 'Play 'Overnight Angel' songs next tour.' Nah.

Julian Burrow: 'Why can't northern fans have a show a bit nearer home?' Search me - it's what came up.

Dave Turner: 'Is there an archive of you and Mick Ronson only - you on piano and Mick on guitar?' There's probably bits here and there - no idea where I've put them.

Kevin from Newcastle is excited!

At this point I think we've established the fact that the only gigs we're doing are Hammersmith and at this time there is no firm DVD or CD, so forgive me for not answering any more questions on these subjects.

Brit Fan: 'Is Pete still into antiques?' Pete will always be a collector - that's his nature; but he got fed up going to auctions at 5 AM etc. I've no idea what Verden used on 'Laugh at Me'. We were in Morgan Studios at the time - maybe he used their organ. 'Rant Band should do a John Lee Hooker cover?' Dunno.

Phil John: I talked to Ritchie.

Angel Jones: 'Who was the MTH fan you remember most on the old tours?' The Hot Motts ring a bell.

Richard Wilson: 'Todd Rundgren said some good things about you on Radio II - Ken Bruce Show and so did Ken.' Thanks you, Todd; thank you, Ken.

Shawn Jones asks if I've seen 'Life on Mars'? I saw the English series - the first one - and I liked it very much. The second English series (Ashes it Ashes) is now on BBC America - but I don't like it nearly as much - girl is miscast. I find most of the BBC output suitable for 12 year olds in general. They have been participants in the great dumbing down (give 'em what they want - not what they need). I didn't click with the U.S. version. 'Do you get a kick out of how other artists incorporate your art into theirs to create a bigger vision?' If it's good - hell yeah!

Tony P.: 'Mott worked with Steve Marriot in '71. What was he like?' Great to work with when sober.

Clyde Hartman: Thank you, Clyde.

Pat Anderson: 'I'm writing a children's book and I want 'Roll Away the Stone' to be a major part of the plot. Who do I ask permission to use the lyric? Universal Music Publishing.

Steve H: I'm self-taught on piano. It's not good to know too much. Once you know how everything is relevant - the surprises stop and the tunes dry up. Earl Garner was asked if he 'knew' music he said, 'Yeah - but not enough to f--- me up.'

Jenx: 'Are you excited yet?' Well, I'm surprised at the sales figures.

Dave Windhorst: Thanks, Dave.

Keith Drummand: 'Any chance of a full band autograph session?' Hasn't been discussed.

Marty G: 'Mick Jagger/Mad Shadows - did Mick really sing on any of the tracks?' No, he came in the control room and danced when we were playing 'Walkin' With A Mountain'. Did Guy Stevens really give the Stones the title 'Sticky Fingers'? Yes.

Christopher: 'Ballad of Mott?' You know - if you guys knew the set it would be boring - wouldn't it?

Alan Keinch: 'Are MTH playing Aylesbury, Monday, 1st of June?' Nope.

William A. Yeaw: 'How much of your first solo was originally penned for Mott?' Only 'Lounge Lizard.' We actually went in with a set of songs which we replace as the album progressed. I wrote a lot of that album as we were doing it. 'What was your first impression of Mr. Mercury?' He gave the impression of being extremely intelligent (as all the band were). Very impatient - wanted it all and quick with it. He was stylish (asked me about his hair!), and extremely good fun to be with.

Peejay: 'Wondering what you'll wear?' Nah. That was then. No rehearsal as of yet. Too early.

Kenzo Joe: 'I remember you came onstage with a big H guitar with lights all round. Do you still have it? Nah - that was then.

It occurs to me that a few of you lot might be thinking we'll be all tarted up for the reunion. Forget it; that was then.

Jos Peters: Sure I remember it. The guy organized it badly - nice guy - he told me he got it wrong himself.

Mark Wheeler would love to hear how MTH would have done 'Saturday Gigs'. They did do it; it was a UK single.

David Mosey: 'Just published 400 page law book with intro - 'Who remembers Mott the Hoople?' and conclusion, 'The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll' (you've got a sure fire hit there!) Do you approve and could you sign a copy in London?' If our paths meet.

Bonnie is going through IH withdrawal and wants a New York area show. I'm hoping to do something this year in New York with the Ranters.

Stu Kagy: Thank you, Stu.

Bill Innes: Actually, I was hanging out with Darrell Bath a lot around the time of that record. Everything that comes out of Darrell's mouth is street poetry and I kind of wrote it with him in mind.

Chris: 'Oztralia?' Nobody official has asked.

Burnsy: There's been no talk of US/Canada tours for MTH.

Alan (Kent): I'll have to have a look at that. Thanks.

Dave Allen: Thanks for the offer, Dave, but it's already sorted. Look forward to working with you in the future.

Joe Basile: Irene Wilde is a true story.

I know I left out loads but really, most of you are saying the same things. What happened to the intellectualism of yore? We're all pretty surprised and somewhat shocked by the reaction to these gigs. It's bigger than we expected. We just wanted to get together for a couple of gigs to see how it felt after all these years. We didn't anticipate this much of a stir. It's great - I just hope we can pull it off. Bin a while …

IH

P.S. Information can change - I'm being as truthful as I can.